Jetman jetpack pilots fly in formation with Emirates A380 superjumbo: Video

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Jetman jetpack pilots fly in formation with Emirates A380 superjumbo: Video

The future of air travel might be much smaller than flying on a huge airliner.

In a stunning video released by Emirates, a duo wearing jetpacks soar along in formation with an Airbus A380 superjumbo - the world's largest passenger aircraft.

The pair from Jetman Dubai joined the superjumbo in a carefully choreographed holding pattern 1.2 kilometres above the United Arab Emirates.

The two 'jetmen' were deployed from a helicopter that hovered above the A380 at 1.67km above the ground. The duo conducted formations on both sides of the aircraft and joined to one side thereafter before breaking away.

Michael Rudolph, head of aviation regulations and safety at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said the stunt had its challenges, including changing some flight schedules slightly to ensure no other aircraft would interfere with the event.

"This was the very first time two humans would fly in close formation to the largest passenger aircraft in the world," he said. "The event went off without delay any safety concerns to any party associated to the project."

Yves Rossy from Jetman Dubai invented the jetpack used and was one of the pilots who participated.

"I come from a background of piloting commercial aircraft and it was always a dream to fly without the constraints of being inside a cockpit," he said. "It was absolutely surreal flying alongside the biggest aircraft there is and we felt like mosquitos beside a gigantic eagle."

The biggest risk to the jetpack flyers was wake turbulence from the enormous superjumbo. The airliner flew at a reduced weight and the position of the two flyers was carefully plotted to ensure they avoided being caught in turbulence.

Emirates released the video on Friday after the flight and filming took place on October 13.

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